Is the front office sending a message to it's often injured back? I know we all love Ronnie, but he needs to stay on the field more. Link to PFW: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/06/16/dolphins-not-interested-in-long-term-deal-for-rb-b
I have a bad feeling they will let him walk after the season. The FO doesn't put a premium on running backs. It would be a shame though because Ronnie is a special player. Hopefully he can stay healthy, have a good year and get a long term contract.
I think the plan was always to let him walk after 2010. If it weren't for the uncapped year he'd have been an unrestricted free agent but I'm sure they'd place the franchise tag on him. The fact that they get away with the RFA tag just means they saved probably half a million or something. But I think I've been talking about this for years now, how they would let him play out his contract, keep him one more year on the franchise tag (or an RFA tag, as it turned out) and then let him walk away from the team 29 years old, 6 years of wear and tear with an injury history. Sad story, but he did get a #2 overall pick contract from the Dolphins and he's made a lot of money, including this year he'll make something like $6 million, and so he's had the fortune of making money that some running backs never end up making even though they may have been just as productive. But yeah I agree the Patriots become immediate contenders for his services.
A hungry running back is an effective running back. I love Ronnie and think he deserves a contract, but I understand the FO making him earn it. As much as Ronnie has had some brilliant games in his career, besides the health problems, it's important to remember that consistency has always been a problem for him.
Agree with you exactly. If he stays healthy, and produces this year I believe the FO will give him the contract he wants. It's whatever Ronnie can accomplish. I'm sure he understands this. If he can come out this year and play without injury we will have a special year on our hands with both Ricky and Ronnie!
Imo, he's not going anywhere, they may make him work for his contract because of his injury history {which I think is completely fair in this situation}, I think realistically next year is our year to make the run at the whole thing..Ronnie Brown is so important to this offense, Imo it would be the wrong move to let him go. i'll go on the record and say the deal gets done.
That's the one thing that I don't see our front office doing for a player with history issues. Paying him a huge contract. Even if he's healthy all this year, he still has a history. I think a short term deal gets done, but not for the money Ronnie wants.
I like Ronnie, not in love with him, he is a good back, but not great....if he were to leave I wouldnt be worried....I mean the overall state over the position would suck, cuz Ricky after this year, I mean how affective can he be, this might be the major position of need next year.....numero uno...
There is no way this will happen. I could see them offering what they feel is fair market value or even possibly tagging him. Not a chance they give him the contract he we will want. He will be asking for way too much money. Without the injury problems and if he was a back with top end speed then the possibility is there but truth is it's not. They value Ronnie as a decent back but not a great one. Can't argue with that.
I think a lot of people will be retracting their statements about ronnie not being resigned, or, that he's not a great back, after watching him play against a fair front for the first time in his career.
They'll let him walk and it shouldn't surprise anyone. These guys arent high on players that cant stay on the field, and despite that, Ronnie is still around because he's very good when he's on the field. You could say the same about Justin Smiley.
fair enough, but Iam making the projection based on a healthy Ronnie Brown..I don't think you can approach a signing any other way, I mean, if they value the player and want the talent on the team, then you cant take an injury that has'nt happened into account when thinking about resigning the player...If he does get injured again, then of course, that changes the script.. should be interesting to see how it plays out.. If it was me, I would see how he performs thru 8 games, and take a very close look at what kind of shape his body is in, If he is the ronnie brown that we know, I resign him during the year to avoid free agency...3 year contract.
As much as I truly like Ronnie, I have to agree with and back the FO on this one. Ronnie is a very good back, but has never proven to be a great back. And he has way too much history of injuries.
the only problem with letting him walk at the end of this season is that we cant possibly go into 2011 with a 35 yr ricky and Lex Hilliard. We'd have to guarantee a chance at one of the best RB in next years draft. And quite frankly, I see us winnign games this year, so being top 10 isn't likely...
Let him walk. If he sign's with Pats; he'll eat up a roster spot, cap space, and be on IR for atleast 8 games.
All the more reason for the regime to hope for health when it comes to their #1 back...I'am sure they wanna give him the contract...just stay healthy and we won't have that problem you speak of...and be totally primed for the run next year.
Why? He's rarely healthy for 16 games. You don't wait for an injury to happen but if past history suggests anything, then its tough to sign a guy. If he's injured multiple seasons and then stays healthy for one year, are you going to throw money? I don't think you can take only eight games into account. It has to be sixteen with Ronnie Brown.
i'd rather have his back up in trent richardson..that guy is a young beast.obviously he won't be in that draft but i would love to have him when he comes out.
I agree with you completely bro. Im no draft guru, but don't be so shocked if/when Ingram doesn't go that high. IMO, he's actually not the best RB on his own team. Richardson, the far bigger of the two, is a more appealing pro prospect. He won't be in next years draft, but he will take a bit of the spotlight away from Ingram this year. Ironically, Bama's situation with Ingram and Richardsons is pretty similar to Caddilac and Ronnie at Auburn.
If you give him 16 games before you sign him, then he's an outright free agent, and your competing with higher prices.. I'am not saying this is an easy situation here Alen, but what I do think is easy, is the projection of his talent when healthy, and his value to our system...If I have the player going into a fresh season, then at some point there is somewhat of a gamble involved no matter how you look at the situation... You gamble on losing out on the player entirely if you wait a full season..and for me, I dont wanna take that risk...Thats why I give him 8 games to show me health, then I make the move to secure the player, and save money doing so... We do have some leverage on the player at this point.We know he wants to be here, I know for a fact that he's in love with this system, I know that he knows, that the system brings out the best in his abilities, and I believe he is introspective enough to know that he has let us down in the freak injury dept. and wants to prove something here. I think the regime's investment into the system we are running here demands Ronnie Browns talents..He's the right player, at the right time, to make the run at this thing...U gotta hope for health, then pay the player before he hits the market, to secure that the team is loaded and ready for a real run next year.
If he stays healthy this year and has a good year, I don't see why the team wouldn't commit to him long term. Big Ifs though....
IDK...Even if he does stay healthy this year I think the FO gets rid of him. In fact I bet the FO is hoping he stays healthy so that his value goes up. I honestly believe the FO has no plans on keeping him after this season.
Assuming you can trade a franchised tagged player. Not sure, but if you can then that's the logic. Otherwise, I just don't seem the FO holding the same value in him as he'll see in himself.
I think even if Ronnie rushes for 2000 yards this year he will still be let walk. Or at the best franchise tagged (which he will not be happy with.) Get your use out of your Ronnie jerseys this season. I know I will.
I am not too worried for a few reasons. Mainly though, because our front office has a little more knowledge than us fans. They are smart. If they feel that Ronnie can't play a full, healthy season and isn't worth the money he wants, then they let him walk. I love Ronnie too, however right now he isn't worth the money because of his injuries, when we can have a RB that plays a full season, while being productive for a lot less money.
I doubt that this regime would have offered him a long term agreement even if he'd have been healthy all along. He'll be 29 by the end of this season. If there is franchise tag, they may hit him with it next year, otherwise, he'll be free to 'test the market'. Likely tho, most everyone feels the same about a 29 yr old, injury prone back. The catch-22 for the Fins is that IF he's healthy, he's certainly worth re-signing, but that seems to be a big IF for this guy. He'll find work, and may even wind up back here, but it won't be the huge payday that most guys look for coming off their rookie contracts due to the extension the CBA unrest has put on players contract issues and his injury history and his age as it pertains to the position he plays. Too bad for him, but those are the breaks...